Device for cleaning window surfaces



July 15, 1969 H, w. BRASWELL 3,455,633

DEVICE FOR CLEANING WINDOW SURFACES Filed June 8, 1967 JNVENTOR. HEPMA/V 14 5B4 SWEAL BY W @MWW 3,455,638 DEVICE FOR CLEANING WINDOW SURFACES Herman W. Braswell, 4214 Banner Drive, Houston, Tex. 77029 Filed June 8, 1967, Ser. No. 644,645 Int. Cl. A471 1/08 US. Cl. 40123 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A compound handled tool for manual manipulation across the window surface or other similar planar surfaces to remove dirt, dust, grime, smoke, films and other accumulations of matter therefrom, the tool embodying a handle carried liquid receiving reservoir in fluid-dispensing communication with an applicator carried on a bracket supported on a handle, and the bracket, in turn, having a liquid-removing drying blade releasably mounted there- BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to the general field of cleaning implements and, more specifically, the instant invention pertains to a manually operable tool for the cleaning of straight or curvilinear planar surfaces.

One of the primary objects of the instant invention is to provide a manually operable tool or implement especially designed to enable the user to quickly wash and dry window and like surfaces with economy of costs, a minimum of expenditure of time and energy, and w1th the least inconvenience.

A further object of this invention is to provide an 1rn plement of the type generally described above WhlCh 1s provided with handle means forming a receptacle or reservoir for a cleaning liquid or solution, the reservoir being, in turn, fluid-connected by a suitable means to a window surface sponge type fluid applicator connected on the handle means, and to provide on the handle means, a wiping blade or drier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a compound unitary window surface washing and drying manually operable tool or implement characterized by compactness in construction which leads to the facilitation of its operation throughout a complete cycle of the functions of its intended usage and which results as a consequence of the unique assembly of the compound elements of the implement and their relationship relative to one another.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a tool or implement of the type generally described supra, the tool or implement being non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and which is rugged and durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

SPECIFICATION In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool or implement constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical medial transverse detail crosssectional view, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away and partly in cross-section to illustrate the component elements of the instrument or tool and nited States Patent O their relative association with respect to one another; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view of the head of the cleaning device.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a cleaning implement or tool constructed in accordance with the teaching of this invention. As is illustrated in the several figures of the drawing, the tool 10 is adapted for manual manipulation and is seen to comprise an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical member 12 formed of any suitable resilient, elastic and flexible material such as, for example, any one of the commonly known plastics, and the handle member 12 is preferably formed of a transparent material to serve a function to be described below.

As is seen in the drawing, the handle member 12 comprises an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical side Wall 14 having opposed ends closed by integrally formed transversely extending end walls 16, 18. The end wall 18 terminates in an outwardly and longitudinally extending integrally formed neck 20 disposed in coaxial relationship relative to the side wall 14 and which is provided with external threads 22.

At 24 is designated a substantially rigid central body member having an elongated frusto-conical configuration, the central body member 24 being preferably constructed from any suitable light-weight metal, wood or plastic material as is desired. As is seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the base end 26 of the central body member 24 is formed with an inwardly extending cylindrical recess 28 internally threaded as at 30. The neck 20 is adapted to be received within the recess 28, the threads 22, 30 cooperating with one another to effect a detachable connection between the handle member 12 and the central body member 24. As is clearly seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the neck 20 threads into the base end 26 of the central body member 24 until the base end 26 engages and seals against the end wall 31 of the recess 28 formed in the handle member 12.

The central body member 24, substantially at the plane of its frustum, continues in an integrally formed coaxially disposed substantially cylindrical tubular extension 32 which terminates in an outer planar end 34, and the central body member 24 and its tubular extension 32 are formed with a continuous coaxially located longitudinally extending passageway 36, the opposed ends of the passageway 36 being in open communication with the base end 31 of the recess 28, and at its other end into the planar end 34 of the tubular extension 32.

Reference numeral 40 designates, in general, a substantially C-shaped bracket (see FIGURE 2) the bracket 40 including an elongated substantially rectangular bight wall 42 having longitudinally spaced threaded openings 42 formed therein, and from the longitudinally extending marginal edges of the bight wall 42 laterally project, in the same direction, side walls 44, 46, respectively, the side walls 44, 46 having substantially rectangular configurations and being disposed in spaced and substantially parallel relationship relative to one another. The side walls 44, 46 at their respective outer longitudinally extending marginal edges terminate in longitudinally extending substantially rectangular flanges 48, 50, the flanges 48, 50 being integrally formed with their associated side walls 44, '46 and are disposed in spaced confronting and substantially parallel relationship relative to one another. The opposed ends of the bracket 40 are closed by the end walls 51, 51.

integrally formed with the side wall 44 and disposed on the opposite side of the bight wall 42 is a longitudinally extending substantially rectangular shoulder 52, the latter at its respective outer longitudinally extending marginal edge being integrally connected with an elongated substantially rectangular brace arm 54. As is clearly seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing, the brace arm 54 projects laterally away from the bight wall 42 and forms an obtuse angle with respect to the side wall 44.

An elongated clamp jaw bears the general reference numeral 56. As is illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing, the clamp jaw 56 is seen to comprise basically an inverted and reversed substantially L-shaped member having an elongated substantially rectangular leg portion 58 to one end of which is integrally connected a laterally and offset foot section 60 also rectangular in configuration and having a length substantially the same as its associated leg portion 58. Projecting laterally from the foot section 60 and in the direction away from the leg portion 58 is an integrally connected elongated substantially rectangular abutment or anchor 62. The abutment or anchor 62 has substantially the same length as its associated and connected foot section 60.

The clamp jaw is adapted for juxtaposition relative to the C-shaped bracket 40 with the leg portion 58 fitting substantially flush against the bight wall 42 and with the abutment 62 extending in the direction of the brace arm 54 is spaced proximity relative thereto. As is seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the leg portion 58 is provided with suitable openings 63 which extend transversely therethrough in longitudinally spaced relationship, and these openings 63 are adapted for alignment with internally threaded openings 42 formed in the bight wall 42, the openings 42', 63 being adapted to receive therein the conventional headed screws 64 to effect a releasable connection between the clamp jaw 56 and the C-shaped bracket 40.

The side wall 46 is adapted to be fixedly and rigidly connected centrally of its opposed ends to the outer planar end 34 of the tubular extension 32 by any suitable means such as, for example, the welding indicated at 66. Extending transversely through the side wall 46 is an opening 68 which is coaxially aligned and in open communication with the adjacent end of the passageway 36.

Reference numeral 70 designates, in general, an elongated substantially T-shaped applicator which may be formed of any suitable absorbent materials such as, for example, sponge rubber. The applicator 70 includes as integral components thereof a substantially convex elongated head 72 provided with a longitudinally extending planar inner side 74 from which laterally projects an elongated substantially rectangular stem 76.

The applicator 70 is formed of any suitable material of the type to which reference has been made above and which possesses a physical characteristic of being compressible whereby the stem 76 thereof may be com-- pressed and slid into the C-shaped clamp 40 between the confronting flanges 48, 50 to expand therebehind and to fully occupy the space defined by the bight wall 42, the side walls 44, 46 and the opposed pair of end walls 51, 51. As is seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the opposed flanges 48, 50 compress adjacent portions of the stem 76 to form opposed longitudinally extending substantially parallel grooves 78 in which the flanges 48, 50 lock to prevent the inadvertent or accidental displacement or withdrawal of the stem 76 from within the C-shaped bracket 40. 7

Reference numeral 80 designates an elongated wiper or drier blade formed of a flexible but relatively rigid material such as, for example, rubber or other suitable plastic materials. The wiper or drier blade 80 comprises an elongated substantially rectangular main body portion 82 having an integrally formed longitudinally extending enlarged substantially cylindrical bead 84 at one longitudinally extending side edge thereof.

The wiper or drier blade 80 is releasably connected on the tool or implement by first backing off the screws 64 to permit some lateral movement between the clamp jaw and the C-shaped clamp 40. Thereafter, the blade is inserted from either end of the bracket 40, the bead 84 being received behind the abutment 62 and between the shoulder 52 and the foot section 60 of the clamp jaw 56. In this position the main body portion 82 of the wiping or drying blade 80 lies flush against the adjacent side of the brace arm 54- with a longitudinally extending marginal edge portion 82A projecting laterally beyond the adjacent edge of the brace arm 54. Thereafter, the screws 64 are tightened to fixedly secure the blade 80, including its bead 84, in their described positions.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention in detail, the operation of the implement or tool 10 is deemed to be self evident. However, in order that there be no question as to the utilitarian function of the implement or tool 10, a brief description of its use is offered below.

With the component elements of the implement or tool 10 assembled in the manner described and as is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing, the user first effects a disconnection between the handle member 12 and its connected central body member 24 by disengaging the neck 20 of the handle member 12 from the adjacent base end 26 of the central body member 24. Thereafter, the handle member 12 is filled to a desired level with a liquid cleansing agent or solution (not shown) after which the user establishes the threaded connection of the neck 20 in the recess 28 formed in the base end 26 of the central body member 24.

The implement or tool 10 is now inverted from its positions shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and thereafter the user will grasp and squeeze the side wall 14 to exert a pressure on the liquid solution within the handle member 12 causing the same to pass through the passageway 36, the opening 68 and make fluid contact with the stem 76 of the applicator 70. As the stem 76 becomes saturated so too will the convex head 72 of the applicator 70.

When the applicator 70 has been fully saturated with the cleaning liquid or fluid, the applicator 70 is engaged against a windowpane or other surface to be cleaned and is manually manipulated thereacross. Thereafter, the relative positions of the applicator 70 and the wiping or drier blades 80 are reversed so as to permit the user to engage the wiping or drier blade 80 on the surface of the windowpane to move the wetting and cleaning liquid agent toward an end edge thereof, all in the usual and conventional manner. The wiping action is continued, of course, until all excess liquid cleaning agent or solution has been removed from the surface of the window being cleaned. The cycle of operations described immediately above may be repeated as often as is necessary to effect complete removal of all particulate or film matter which may have accumulated on the surface being cleaned- It is appreciated, of course, that the liquid applicator 70 will be subjected to considerable wear during its use as will be the wiping and drier blade 80. Replacement of each is easily accomplished, the user needing only to grasp the head 72 and to pull the applicator 70 in a direction away from the bracket means 40 and to reinsert a replacement between the flanges 48, 50 and into the main body of the bracket means 40.

The wiping and drying blade 80 may be easily replaced through the loosening or backing off of the screw 64 which permits the abutment 62 to be moved away from the adjacent portion of the wiper blade a sufficient distance to allow the bead 84 to pass between the abutment 62 and the brace arm 54. A new drier blade is then inserted in the reverse direction between the brace arm 54 and the abutment 62 after which the screw means 64 is tightened to effect the desired clamping action described a ove.

While but a single embodiment of this invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A compound window washing and drying implement comprising an elongated substantially hollow handle member defining a closed receptacle adapted to receive a cleaning liquid therein;

bracket means fixedly secured on one end of said handle member;

said bracket means comprising an elongated unitary substantially C-shaped element having an elongated substantially rectangular bight wall from the longitudinally extending marginal edges of which, respectively, laterally project an elongated substantially rectangular side wall, said side walls being disposed in laterally spaced and substantially parallel relationship relative to one another and having an elongated substantially rectangular flange projecting from their respective outer longitudinally extending marginal edge, said flanges being disposed in spaced confronting relationship relative to one another, said bracket further including an end wall at each opposed end thereof, said end walls extending between the adjacent pair of ends of said side walls and being fixedly connected thereto and to the immediately adjacent end of said bight wall relative thereto;

a liquid absorbent applicator mounted on said bracket;

said liquid absorbent applicator being releasably disposed Within said bracket means and having a head extending exteriorly thereof beyond said flanges;

said flanges compressingly engaging portions of said liquid absorbent applicator adjacent said head to releasably secure said liquid absorbent applicator within said bracket means;

means fixedly securing one of said side walls of said bracket means on said one end of said handle means, said one side wall of said bracket means having an opening extending transversely therethrough intermediate the ends thereof;

said handle means having a passageway extending therethrough in open communication at one of its ends with said receptacle and at its other end with said opening formed in said side wall to provide a line of liquid communication between said liquid absorbent applicator and said liquid receiving receptacle;

an elongated substantially rectangular liquid removing and drying blade; and

means projecting laterally from said bight wall to releasably clamp said liquid removing and drying blade on said bracket means with said bight Wall blocking communication between said liquid absorbent applicator and said liquid removing and drying blade.

2. An implement as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket means includes an elongated substantially rectangular shoulder fixedly connected on the other of said side walls thereof and projecting laterally away therefrom beyond the other side of said side wall, said shoulder terminating in an elongated substantially rectangular brace arm diverging away from said shoulder at an obtuse angle and in a direction away from said bracket;

said releasable clamping means further including an elongated clamping jaw having a substantially L- shaped configuration and including a leg portion adapted for imposition against said bight wall of said bracket means, an elongated foot section fixedly connected on one end of said leg portion and projecting laterally therefrom in a direction away from said bight wall, and an elongated abutment element fixedly connected on said foot section and projecting laterally therefrom in the direction of said brace arm and in confronting relation relative thereto;

adjustable means cooperating with said leg portion of said clamping jaw and said bight Wall of said bracket means to connect said clamping jaw on said bracket means, said adjustable means being operable to move said abutment element towards said brace arm; and

said liquid removing and drying blade comprising an elongated substantially rectangular flexible member disposed and clamped between said brace arm and said abutment member upon actuation of said adjustment means.

3. An implement as defined in claim 2 wherein said liquid absorbing applicator is substantially T- shaped in configuration and said head comprises an elongated member having a convex configuration, a planar side, and a substantially rectangular stern projecting laterally from said planar side and of substantially the same length as said head; and

said stem being disposed within said bracket means with its said flanges compressing and grippingly engaging said stem adjacent its said planar side.

4. An implement as defined in claim 3 wherein said handle comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical side wall formed of a flexible resilient and elastic material, said side wall having a pair of opposed end closure walls, one of said end closure walls having a hollow cylindrical neck projecting laterally therefrom and in open communication with the interior of said side Wall;

an elongated substantially solid frusto-conical central body member having a recess formed therein and extending inwardly from the base end thereof and adapted to receive said neck therein, and means releasably connecting said neck in said recess;

said central body member further including a substantially solid tubular extension having an end thereof fixedly connected thereto substantially in the plane of its frustum, the other end of said tubular extension projecting away from said cylindrical side wall and terminating in a planar end, said central body portion and its said tubular extension having said passageway formed therein;

and said bracket means having its said one side wall fixedly connected on said planar end of said tubular extension.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,118,166 1/1964 Bell 401-25 1,883,664 10/1932 Fleischman 401-207 2,726,417 12/1955 Rowser et al. 401-183 2,745,126 5/1956 Mora 15-244 FOREIGN PATENTS 460,533 10/ 1913 France.

47,922 6/ 1909 Switzerland.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

